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Nicaraguan Customs Contats

Website: http://www.dga.gob.ni/ 

Telephone: 505-22482642

 

Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American isthmus. Nicaragua's capital Managua is the third-largest city in Central America. Nicaragua, set between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is a Central American nation known for its dramatic terrain of lakes, volcanoes and beaches. Nicaragua is a representative democratic republic, and has experienced economic growth and political stability in recent years. The biological diversity, warm tropical climate, and active volcanoes make Nicaragua an increasingly popular tourist destination.

Nicaragua has a relatively open trade and investment regime, with an average MFN tariff of 6.2 per cent and limited use of non-tariff measures. It participates actively in the Central American regional integration process, and its trade policy is largely determined by its involvement in that process and by its adherence to other international agreements, in particular CAFTA-DR. Nicaragua's trade and investment policy is designed to foster its integration in the world economy, using the country's comparative advantage in products such as coffee and sugar, but at the same time also promoting the development of a more solid and chiefly export-oriented industrial base, through schemes such as the free zones.

 

Import Tariffs

As a member of the Central American Common Market (CACM), Nicaragua applies a harmonized external tariff on most items at a maximum of 15% with some exceptions. Approximately 95% of tariff lines are harmonized at this rate or lower. In response to rising prices, in 2007, Nicaragua issued a series of decrees to unilaterally eliminate or reduce to 5% tariffs on many basic foodstuffs and consumer goods. These decrees have been extended every six months and are currently in effect through June 30, 2012. The Nicaraguan Customs Authority maintains an online database of import tariffs, including tariffs applicable under CAFTA-DR.

Import Requirements and Documentation

An importer must present the following documentation to the Nicaraguan Customs Authority:

  • bill of lading
  • packing list
  • original invoice
  • declaration of invoice authenticity
  • permits issued by Nicaraguan authorities (if necessary, see below)
  • certificate of origin 

Importers must also register as a taxpayer with the Nicaraguan Tax Authority. Once they have their tax identification number, they must register it with the Nicaraguan Customs Authority, Legal Affairs Division, which also requires importers to present proof of fiscal solvency on a monthly basis.

The process for sending donations to Nicaragua is to request authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The donating organization may wish to hire a local customs broker familiar with local customs procedures in order to ensure that the donation is not lost. Customs may seize a shipment if it is not removed from their warehouses after 20 days, but the importer can pay a fine in order to avoid it being auctioned off.

Prohibited and Restricted Imports

The Ground Transportation Law (2005/524) prohibits the import of motor vehicles that are more than 10 years old, with the exception of antique cars and donations to the fire department, Red Cross, and religious organizations. 

 

Exports

Exporting a standard container of goods requires 5 documents, takes 21 days and costs about $1140. Importing the same container of goods requires 5 documents, takes 20 days and costs about $1245. 

Documents required for exports:

  • Bill of lading
  • Certificate of origin
  • Commercial invoice
  • Customs export declaration (FUE)
  • Quality Certificate

 

 

Sources:

http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov/chapter5.html 

http://export.gov/nicaragua/build/groups/public/@eg_ni/documents/webcontent/eg_ni_048474.pdf 

http://www.nicaragua.com/ 

https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/nicaragua_e.htm 

 

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